TAIWAN INDONESIA

Apr 27 2026POLITICS

Labor Leader Becomes Indonesia’s New Environment Minister

Indonesia has chosen a former labour union head to lead its environment ministry. The new minister, Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat, once fought against the former president in the 1990s and served a prison term for stirring protests. He also opposed the current president during the last election. Before h

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

Taiwan Sees Chinese Fighters While Leaders Meet

Taiwan’s defence office reported that on Friday, 16 Chinese military jets flew close to the island between mid‑morning and mid‑afternoon, a day when Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition party in Beijing. The meeting, held at 11 a. m. , was framed by the Ta

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Apr 11 2026BUSINESS

Taiwan’s Tech Exports Soar Past $80 Billion—What’s Driving the Boom?

Taiwan just hit a major milestone in global trade. In March, its exports jumped to over $80 billion, shattering records and beating even the most optimistic forecasts. This surge wasn’t a one-time fluke—it marked the 29th straight month of year-over-year growth. What’s behind this explosive rise? A

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Apr 02 2026POLITICS

Taiwan Boosts Island Defences Amid Rising Chinese Activity

Taiwan is set to reinforce its military presence on the Pratas Islands, a group of reefs located at the northern edge of the South China Sea. The islands lie more than 400 kilometres from Taiwan’s main coast, making them a potential target for Chinese forces. Because the Pratas are only lightly g

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Mar 31 2026BUSINESS

Fuel Swaps and Energy Scrambles in Asia

Indonesia’s president flew to Tokyo amid a regional rush to find new fuel sources. The Middle East conflict has cut many supplies, and now countries are trading energy to keep their economies running. Jakarta is planning a deal that would bring more liquefied natural gas into Japan while sending liq

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Mar 31 2026ENVIRONMENT

Forest Loss in Indonesia Rises Sharp as Self‑Sufficiency Drives Push Land Clearing

Indonesia’s forests shrank by a striking 66% in 2025, the fastest rate in eight years, according to data from satellite imagery and field checks across 16 provinces. The country’s huge forest area, once one of the world’s richest in biodiversity, is being cleared at an alarming pace as it pursues am

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Feb 16 2026POLITICS

Taiwan's President Focuses on Defense in New Year Speech

Taiwan's leader, Lai Ching-te, recently shared his Lunar New Year message. He emphasized the importance of boosting the island's defenses. This comes at a time when tensions with China are high. China sees Taiwan as part of its territory. Lai's message was recorded at a key military radar station.

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Jan 29 2026RELIGION

Indonesia's Changing Faith: A Quiet Shift in Belief

Indonesia is known for its strong religious roots. Islam is the dominant faith, but there are five other recognized religions. These religions shape the country's culture and laws. However, things are changing. Over the past 20 years, the role of religion in people's lives has been shifting. The co

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Jan 28 2026POLITICS

Indonesia's Rescue Agency Faces Budget Cuts Amid Rising Disasters

Indonesia's government has decided to reduce the budget for its main rescue agency, Basarnas. This decision comes even though the country faces more and more disasters. The cuts were approved by a parliamentary panel. They reduced the budget by 69. 38 billion rupiah, or about 4. 5%. This money will

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Jan 27 2026FINANCE

Indonesia's Economy: Steady Growth Amid Challenges

Indonesia's economy is showing resilience, with a growth target of 5. 2% for 2025, despite recent setbacks. The finance minister shared this update, highlighting that the fourth quarter saw even faster growth. This positive outlook extends into 2026, with a growth target of 5. 4% for the $1. 4 trill

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